The 33 scariest movies

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Need a reason to scream? Here's our list for the 33 scariest movies ever, just in time for Halloween. It ranges from 1960s classic "Rosemary's Baby" to 2013's space nightmare "Gravity." If we missed your favorite, tell us below. less

Need a reason to scream? Here's our list for the 33 scariest movies ever, just in time for Halloween. It ranges from 1960s classic "Rosemary's Baby" to 2013's space nightmare "Gravity." If we missed your ... more

2. "Dawn of the Dead" (2004):
This kinetic remake of the 1978 classic cranked up the speed with zombies who were surprisingly agile, given their decomposed state. The original featured slower creatures, but both films are gory and menacing. less

2. "Dawn of the Dead" (2004): This kinetic remake of the 1978 classic cranked up the speed with zombies who were surprisingly agile, given their decomposed state. The original featured slower creatures, ... more

3. "The Exorcist" (1973):
The movie was a 1970s smash, with 10 Oscar nominations and box-office records. Decades later, its famous rotating-head scene and unnatural spiderwalk sequence (added in re-cut editions) still elicit screams of revulsion. Photo is of Leicester Square in London, 1974. less

3. "The Exorcist" (1973): The movie was a 1970s smash, with 10 Oscar nominations and box-office records. Decades later, its famous rotating-head scene and unnatural spiderwalk sequence (added in re-cut ... more

Photo: Evening Standard/Getty Images, Getty Images

3. "The Exorcist" (1973):
The movie was a 1970s... Photo-3572966.50478 - NewsTimes

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4. "The Ring" (2004):
This American remake of Japanese movie "Ringu" was stylish and suspenseful, with some great jolts, if you didn't ask too many questions. (What happens again if you destroy a copy of a copy of the tape?). Long, wet, matted hair never looked so spooky. less

4. "The Ring" (2004): This American remake of Japanese movie "Ringu" was stylish and suspenseful, with some great jolts, if you didn't ask too many questions. (What happens again if you destroy a copy of a ... more

5. "Halloween" (1978):
A horror movie classic. John Carpenter's film spawned generations of sequels and slasher pics, but none evoked horror with minimal gore like this one. "Halloween" relied on an ominous piano score; Michael Myers' unhuman mask (really a mangled Capt. Kirk mask), and a screaming Jamie Lee Curtis making her film debut. Photo is from 2007 remake. less

5. "Halloween" (1978): A horror movie classic. John Carpenter's film spawned generations of sequels and slasher pics, but none evoked horror with minimal gore like this one. "Halloween" relied on an ominous ... more

8. "The Amityville Horror" (1979):
Dutch colonials never looked so unwelcoming. Based on a real-life story of a family who move into the site of a mass murder, the original featured eerie flies, a secret room that unnerves the dog, and other things that would repel most normal house dwellers. But not the Lutzes. Photo is from the 2005 remake. less

8. "The Amityville Horror" (1979): Dutch colonials never looked so unwelcoming. Based on a real-life story of a family who move into the site of a mass murder, the original featured eerie flies, a secret ... more

10. "Paranormal Activity" (2007):
This low-budget movie about a haunted house that terrorizes a couple makes good use of its bland, suburban setting. Suspense is carefully squeezed out, and the fake-real video footage format heightens the fear. Photo is from "Paranormal Activity 2." less

10. "Paranormal Activity" (2007): This low-budget movie about a haunted house that terrorizes a couple makes good use of its bland, suburban setting. Suspense is carefully squeezed out, and the fake-real ... more

11. "The Thing" (1982): Roger Ebert called this sci-fi horror flick a "great barf-bag movie" for its grotesque make-up and special effects. Set in a remote Antarctic research station, it was an atmospheric exercise in paranoia and isolation. “Somebody in this camp ain't what he appears to be," went the tagline.
Promotional poster is from the 2011 prequel. less

11. "The Thing" (1982): Roger Ebert called this sci-fi horror flick a "great barf-bag movie" for its grotesque make-up and special effects. Set in a remote Antarctic research station, it was an atmospheric ... more

13. "Psycho" (1960)
Everyone knows Hitchcock's famous shower scene, but this masterpiece crackles throughout with suspense and horror. And really, the scene with Norman dressed as his dead mother is horrifying. less

13. "Psycho" (1960) Everyone knows Hitchcock's famous shower scene, but this masterpiece crackles throughout with suspense and horror. And really, the scene with Norman dressed as his dead mother is ... more

15. "A Nightmare on Elm Street" (1984)
This movie was praised for its special effects and inventive plot when it came out. But when Freddy Krueger began appearing in endless sequels, it was time for the boogeyman to retire the claws and ugly striped sweater. less

15. "A Nightmare on Elm Street" (1984) This movie was praised for its special effects and inventive plot when it came out. But when Freddy Krueger began appearing in endless sequels, it was time for the ... more

16. "An American Werewolf in London" (1981): Best werewolf movie. The sounds of tearing flesh during the monster transformation left many viewers unglued, but the movie was scary and funny (and sexy) in equal doses. less

16. "An American Werewolf in London" (1981): Best werewolf movie. The sounds of tearing flesh during the monster transformation left many viewers unglued, but the movie was scary and funny (and sexy) in equal ... more

17. "Silence of the Lambs" (1991):
If you weren't whimpering when the basement lights went out on Jodie Foster, you didn't have a pulse. Great acting and blend of crime drama and horror make this a classic.

17. "Silence of the Lambs" (1991): If you weren't whimpering when the basement lights went out on Jodie Foster, you didn't have a pulse. Great acting and blend of crime drama and horror make this a classic.

22. "When a Stranger Calls" (1979):
The original movie wasn't terribly memorable. But women of a certain age will remember quitting their teenage babysitting jobs because of the opening scene. "Have you checked the children?" was the famous line. Photo is of 2006 remake. less

22. "When a Stranger Calls" (1979): The original movie wasn't terribly memorable. But women of a certain age will remember quitting their teenage babysitting jobs because of the opening scene. "Have you ... more

25. "The Cabin in the Woods" (2012):
A group of attractive young people go to the woods for some fun, but something happens ... sound familiar? Audiences flocked to this movie not so much for thrills, but for its witty, macabre send-up of horror-movie cliches. less

25. "The Cabin in the Woods" (2012): A group of attractive young people go to the woods for some fun, but something happens ... sound familiar? Audiences flocked to this movie not so much for thrills, but ... more

Photo: Lionsgate/Associated Press

25. "The Cabin in the Woods" (2012):
A group of... Photo-3572962.50478 - NewsTimes

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26. "The Omen" (1976):
Why are little kids so creepy in horror movies? This one wasn't as frightening as "The Exorcist," but it had a good build-up of fear. And try getting that high-pitched, evil-sounding Latin chant out of your head. less

26. "The Omen" (1976): Why are little kids so creepy in horror movies? This one wasn't as frightening as "The Exorcist," but it had a good build-up of fear. And try getting that high-pitched, evil-sounding ... more

27. "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" (1974):
A cult favorite. This movie, about Leatherface and his rural, cannabilistic clan, falsely told viewers in the '70s that it was a true story, which boosted its success. Photo is from 2006 prequel, "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning." less

27. "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" (1974): A cult favorite. This movie, about Leatherface and his rural, cannabilistic clan, falsely told viewers in the '70s that it was a true story, which boosted its ... more

28. "The Mist" (2007): Water droplets shroud a small town in evil. Rotten Tomatoes gives this movie a a 74 percent rating and says "impressive camerawork and (a) politically incisive script make "The Mist" a truly frightening experience." less

28. "The Mist" (2007): Water droplets shroud a small town in evil. Rotten Tomatoes gives this movie a a 74 percent rating and says "impressive camerawork and (a) politically incisive script make "The Mist" a ... more

30. Jaws (1975): Most horror movies take place at night in claustrophobic settings. Not this summer blockbuster. It was a primal, sun-soaked, open-water thriller featuring an impressive man-eating monster (besides Robert Shaw's sideburns). less

30. Jaws (1975): Most horror movies take place at night in claustrophobic settings. Not this summer blockbuster. It was a primal, sun-soaked, open-water thriller featuring an impressive man-eating monster ... more

31. "The Conjuring" (2013): The New Yorker called this creepy farmhouse movie "a small Hitchcockian symphony of terror by way of long, eerier tracking shots, dramatic silences, and sudden scares that are frighteningly immersive." With Lili Taylor, pictured, Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson. less

31. "The Conjuring" (2013): The New Yorker called this creepy farmhouse movie "a small Hitchcockian symphony of terror by way of long, eerier tracking shots, dramatic silences, and sudden scares that are ... more

"Gravity" (2013): This deep-space nightmare isn't your typical horror movie, but its elegant, minimalistic portrayal of human despair and isolation is terrifying. With Sandra Bullock and George Clooney.

"Gravity" (2013): This deep-space nightmare isn't your typical horror movie, but its elegant, minimalistic portrayal of human despair and isolation is terrifying. With Sandra Bullock and George Clooney.